Happy New Year!

Tuesday December 31, 2013
Coaldale Canada
Companion: Elder Jeremy Haskell (until transfers tomorrow)

Whenever it is transfer week, the missionaries from Calgary don't email until Tuesday. I'm still getting used to that and it's been over 7 months! So we got to hear from Elder Call today, the first time since we got to talk / Skype him on Christmas! Here's what he had to say to me: {boy do I ever love that kid!!}

Ah man, I thought the crying was over. Haha! I am grateful for you and dad and everyone else too! What great examples and influences I have in my life. Thank you for the words that you sent today mom. Ha, I do sugarcoat things sometimes. But I promise that I am doing better. I am gaining understanding. Dad's email was great. I love him. And your email and everyone else's emails helped a ton too. I love hearing from each of you. It makes a big difference. 

So questions:

Transfers are this weeeeek!!! Are you or Elder Haskell aware of any changes between the two of you??? If so.....details!!!

Elder Haskell is being transferred somewhere within the south! So I will get a new companion tomorrow. Ah!

Thinking of your Christmas package, was there anything that you loved the most?? the Christmas cards? Calendar? Thermals? Christmas tree? Granola? (just curious so I can make next years package good!!) Really, what were your favorites?

I absolutely loved the letters that I received from you and from everyone else. I have some late Christmas cards still in my backpack that I have yet to send... so those will be there soon! I loved the Christmas calendar too! Pretty much the homemade things I loved best. :)

How are you feeling today?? Any miracles this week? Best lesson learned or taught?

Today is good. I'm nervous to get a new companion, but excited as well. Best lesson learned? I love my family and my family loves me and I should share that love with everybody. :)

Thanks so much for all you do mom. Oh, I'm not worried about my weight. {he told us that he's gained 15 lbs so far. I told him that we pretty much sent him out as a stick man missionary, so he could certainly stand to gain some weight!!} Brian and Alexa each took off what? 30 pounds? So I'll just do insanity when I get home :) but for now its time to serve the Lord!! I love you a ton mom. Thanks again for everything! 

Love,
Elder Call

And here's his second letter / letter to friends, family, etc...

Haha thanks for the pictures and advice. Happy New Year to all of you!! I love you all tons!

So, Happy New Year! This week was pretty awesome. We have been destroying our ward list. {that's a good thing! that means they are visiting everyone in the ward / church} Going through that thing like crazy! We met with a bunch of less actives this week and were even able to see one at church. It was great! Christmas was great too. Being able to skype with the family was so great! You never really realize how much you enjoy your family until you are away from them. That's a huge lesson I've learned on my mission.

Want to know another lesson I've learned on my mission? You can almost always tell that you are doing the right thing when it is hard. Satan is good at what he does. He puts his focus on the most important things. He's been attacking the family for years. The world doesn't even know what a family is anymore! So, what do I get out of that? The family is important and key in Heavenly Father's plan for us. And he attacks missionary work. Missionary work is so hard. Its a constant battle every day. Do I get up at 6:30? Do I take some extra time for a nap? Do I follow the mission rules? Is it worth it? {yes he's obedient! very! just like the Spenc we all know!} So, if you are having a hard time doing something that God has asked of you then you have to do it. Because that means that it is extremely important. That's another huge lesson I've learned.

We are looking forward to some lessons this week. A lot of people told us to stop by after the holidays so hopefully we will see some fruits of our labors here in the upcoming weeks! Elder Haskell is being transferred, so I will be getting a new companion this week, tomorrow actually, which is crazy! But I am looking forward to the new adventure and to the New Year!

God loves you! The Church is true! Its hard, but its worth it. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.

Love,
Elder Call

{I bolded and underlined what he wrote in his letter that was such a great lesson to me! Because it is so true!}

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
This is the year that we won't see you once!!
But you'll be in our every prayer!

We love you! 2014 is going to be awesome!!

PS Remember in the last post how we all wrote on the We Love Elder Call poster our
favorite scriptures, love notes, happy wishes, jokes, etc?? Well, I mailed that
poster to him yesterday. It was all folded up and put into a manila envelope.
And it was priceless (the $$ value I declared on the Customs Form!)
It cost $10 to mail!! Hoping he puts it up by his bed and remembers
daily HOW MUCH WE LOVE HIM every single day!!!